Moab - Part 2 {Moab Triathlon Festival}

After Canyonlands on Friday, we drove back into Moab and ate dinner. Making sure we had everything we needed for the morning, we got all out tri gear ready to go. I woke up the next morning at 3:30 am and stayed awake until our alarm clock went off at 5:30. As soon as I heard the alarm, I was up and raring to go. Michael and I took off for the race, since Michael's swim start was at 8:30. We got breakfast at Starbucks on the way and arrived at the lake around 7:00. Chris and Lauren showed up not too long after us and we all transported our gear into the transition area. My brother Wes did the race as well, so my sister-in-law kindly offered to take pictures of all of us.

I feel bad that I kind of missed Michael taking off for the swim. I got a picture of his group in the water below, but I couldn't tell which one was him. I had so much nervous energy running through my body before the race that I couldn't just stand in one spot. I had way too much time to think about the swim before it was actually my turn. When we arrived that morning, the water temperature was at 58 degrees! We knew it was going to be a cold swim, so Michael and I both had wetsuits and had bought a neoprene head cap on the way down. We were prepared for it, but I was still really nervous. As soon as our swim began, I had a little bit of an anxiety attack. I think it was the feeling of claustrophobia from the tight wetsuit and head cap combined with the unbelievably cold water. Lauren and another girl noticed that I was having a little difficulty and kindly helped me relax a little. I ended up pulling the chin strap on my head cap on top of my head and just tried to relax. I definitely did not swim as well or as fast as I could have, but I'm just glad that I stuck it out and got through it!

This is Morgan's new bike that he earned. He looked like a stud; all decked out in biking gear.

Wes did the whole race wearing a cast on his wrist. Pretty impressive!

I absolutely love this picture of Michael running. I told him that I was going to send this picture into TYR so he could model for them... he just rolled his eyes.

Chris and my brother after their race. They both did the Xterra sport.

This was Chris's first Xterra and he did awesome!

Lauren and I smiling from ear to ear because we survived!

I was so happy to have these cute kids cheering me on.

They were troopers; lasted almost seven hours just hanging out and watching the race.

I think Jess deserves most of the credit though. Keeping children entertained while trying to get pictures of five different people during a race. She deserved a medal!

Wes got First Place in his age group!

I got Third Place, which isn't saying a whole lot when there were only four in my age group... but I'll take it!

Lauren got First Place!

Lauren and I showing off our medals!

Michael got Second Place in his age division, which he most certainly deserves! He has trained so hard lately and I am so proud of him.

...And as if our weekend was not eventful enough, Michael chipped his tooth that night.

I can honestly say that there is never a dull moment being married to him.

He always keeps me laughing. I just love him!